My Restoration Journey (Spex & Dr Feller)

[Morgan]

I have always had fairly thin hair (from my mother's side) and a high hair line (from my father's side) but until 6 years ago the fact that I had started to recede further was never mentioned by people I know; in fact, even I didn't notice it as it was receding so gradually! However, around 5 years ago, people started commenting on my hair line more frequently, therefore I also become more aware of the situation. This was when I was 27 (I'm now 32).

 

I have always been extremely confident in my work life and appearance, so when it started dawning on me that I was thinning, I simply shaved my head grade 1 and shrugged it off.

 

That was 4 and a half years ago. Ever since then the comments on my baldness have increased and ultimately my self confidence has plummeted, so much so that it has cost me a relationship (who always skirted the conversation about my hair, but every now and again slipped up, causing me more anguish and a further drop in confidence).

 

2 years ago I found a good look by wearing certain hats which went well with the outfits I was wearing, however, I wear suits to the office where hats are out of the question, and in many social environments - restaurants, pubs, bars, etc. hats can be seen as socially unacceptable and I dreaded the moment I would walk in and the bouncer/waiter would ask me to remove my hat.

 

Around the same time as I started adopting hats, I decided to try and take matters into my own hands by searching for "cures" to my ever increasing baldness. Firstly I tried the Belgravia Centre to look into Minoxidil and laser treatment, who were actually very helpful and informative. Unfortunately I was told that although it would help to thicken and maintain my remaining hair, it would be unable to regrow hair in the follicles which had stopped producing hair; this to me was unacceptable as I wanted to replace the hair at the front of my head, not over-compensate the remaining hair I had.

 

The next option I tried was with Advanced Hair Studio who I believe, from reading posts in this forum, many of you have already had poor dealings with! The experience for me was dreadful. I was quite excited about going for the consultation as their "strand-by-strand" technique certainly didn't sound like "a wig" on their website.

 

The salesman there was very forceful and seemed very put out that I wouldn't be parting with ?4,000 there and then (obviously that's when the alarm bells started ringing!), I then read more AHS reviews online and was shocked and appalled at the treatment and service many clients had received. That's when I started to realise just how ruthless the hair treatment industry really is!!

 

I'd reached a very low ebb by this point as I truly couldn't see a solution to my problem, that was until I found Spex's website and started reading all of your posts in the forums... The information provided has given me a light at the end of the tunnel, and even before booking a consultation, I already felt a huge weight off my shoulders that there actually IS something I can do about my hair loss!

 

It's been a year now since I decided to do something about my hair and chose which solution would best fit my situation. I have therefore decided to write this step-by-step blog to show you my progress over the coming year.

 

My current routine is: Regaine 5% twice daily, which I have been using for 6 months, and I will now be adding the following into my routine:

 

- Nizoral Shampoo every other day.

- Alpecin Shampoo on alternate days.

- 1mg Finpecia daily.

 

From having several conversations with "Spex" (what a great guy!) I have decided to also go for 3,500 - 4,000 strip surgery with Dr Feller. I'm hoping to book this in for either September or November, providing I can get the time off work.

 

I have also included some pictures... The first two show where I was in May 2011, and the last three show where I am after a few months growth and 6 months of just Minoxodil. I plan to put more photos up once I have been in the routine of Nizoral, Alpecin and Finpecia for a couple of months.

 

Thanks all and take care for now!

[Spanker]

Your pics didn't show up.

[Morgan]

Sorry, I couldn't embed these into the post!

 

They are in chronological order

 

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/uploads_user/1000/0/10463.jpg

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/uploads_user/1000/0/10462.jpg

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/uploads_user/1000/0/10461.jpg

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/uploads_user/1000/0/10464.jpg

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/uploads_user/1000/0/10465.jpg

[Spanker]

For 32, you appear to be very high on the NW level. Going strip would no longer allow you cut your hair that short (which looks good IMO).

 

I don't really say this often, I promise, but I would spend a lot more time on here looking at high level nw results before you jump. You got a nice head and it looks clean that short.

 

You you have any expectations in mind?

[aim4hair]

I agree with spanker, if you go with strip you will never be able to cut your hair short (in case if you dont like the results or the density of your new hair).

[aim4hair]

Hi Spex,

On norwood scale, what level is morgan ?

 

 

Thanks,

[1978matt]

Agree with Spanker but if you're sure a shaved head is not for you you could get a nice result provided the hairline isnt placed too low. With some fibres in the crown it could give a complete look.

 

Good luck with it.

[Spanker]

Hey Morgan, Welcome to the forum.

 

I think its safe to say and mention to the guys posting above (who will only have your back) that they only refered to the shaved down pics and not how you wear your hair now which were the last links since being on your reg. You have responded very well. Welldone!!

 

I know you have grown your hair out as seen here below and your intension is to grow your hair after getting a HT. The entire point of a HT

 

 

That is true spex, I thought the balder pics were most recent. That is an exceptional reaction to medication, especially in the crown area.

 

To the OP, I do feel that you should be comfy with spex, and feel that he is a patient advocate. I am not saying that you could not get a good result either, and the example that spex posted is an optimistic but very achievable outcome for you in my opinion.

 

On this site, you can click on hairless photos and choose by nw level for more comparisons about possible outcomes.

 

Good luck in whatever you do.

[aim4hair]

I have always had fairly thin hair (from my mother's side) and a high hair line (from my father's side) but until 6 years ago the fact that I had started to recede further was never mentioned by people I know; in fact, even I didn't notice it as it was receding so gradually! However, around 5 years ago, people started commenting on my hair line more frequently, therefore I also become more aware of the situation. This was when I was 27 (I'm now 32).

 

I have always been extremely confident in my work life and appearance, so when it started dawning on me that I was thinning, I simply shaved my head grade 1 and shrugged it off.

 

That was 4 and a half years ago. Ever since then the comments on my baldness have increased and ultimately my self confidence has plummeted, so much so that it has cost me a relationship (who always skirted the conversation about my hair, but every now and again slipped up, causing me more anguish and a further drop in confidence).

 

2 years ago I found a good look by wearing certain hats which went well with the outfits I was wearing, however, I wear suits to the office where hats are out of the question, and in many social environments - restaurants, pubs, bars, etc. hats can be seen as socially unacceptable and I dreaded the moment I would walk in and the bouncer/waiter would ask me to remove my hat.

 

Around the same time as I started adopting hats, I decided to try and take matters into my own hands by searching for "cures" to my ever increasing baldness. Firstly I tried the Belgravia Centre to look into Minoxidil and laser treatment, who were actually very helpful and informative. Unfortunately I was told that although it would help to thicken and maintain my remaining hair, it would be unable to regrow hair in the follicles which had stopped producing hair; this to me was unacceptable as I wanted to replace the hair at the front of my head, not over-compensate the remaining hair I had.

 

The next option I tried was with Advanced Hair Studio who I believe, from reading posts in this forum, many of you have already had poor dealings with! The experience for me was dreadful. I was quite excited about going for the consultation as their "strand-by-strand" technique certainly didn't sound like "a wig" on their website.

 

The salesman there was very forceful and seemed very put out that I wouldn't be parting with ?4,000 there and then (obviously that's when the alarm bells started ringing!), I then read more AHS reviews online and was shocked and appalled at the treatment and service many clients had received. That's when I started to realise just how ruthless the hair treatment industry really is!!

 

I'd reached a very low ebb by this point as I truly couldn't see a solution to my problem, that was until I found Spex's website and started reading all of your posts in the forums... The information provided has given me a light at the end of the tunnel, and even before booking a consultation, I already felt a huge weight off my shoulders that there actually IS something I can do about my hair loss!

 

It's been a year now since I decided to do something about my hair and chose which solution would best fit my situation. I have therefore decided to write this step-by-step blog to show you my progress over the coming year.

 

My current routine is: Regaine 5% twice daily, which I have been using for 6 months, and I will now be adding the following into my routine:

 

- Nizoral Shampoo every other day.

- Alpecin Shampoo on alternate days.

- 1mg Finpecia daily.

 

From having several conversations with "Spex" (what a great guy!) I have decided to also go for 3,500 - 4,000 strip surgery with Dr Feller. I'm hoping to book this in for either September or November, providing I can get the time off work.

 

I have also included some pictures... The first two show where I was in May 2011, and the last three show where I am after a few months growth and 6 months of just Minoxodil. I plan to put more photos up once I have been in the routine of Nizoral, Alpecin and Finpecia for a couple of months.

 

Thanks all and take care for now!

 

Dear Morgan,

i can see that your hair was pretty much improved in the last 2 images, was this improvement just with rogaine foam ? because in your post you mentioned that currently you only using rogaine and you will be adding propecia and nizoral shampoo.

if this is the case then rogaine worked pretty good for you...

[Morgan]

Hi All,

 

Thanks for the interest in this post, and thanks for the replies! Sorry I've been a bit slow responding; I'm currently on holiday with very limited access to the web!

 

Spanker: Yes, the balder pictures are much earlier (May 2011). So far I'm really pleased with how much Regaine (Rogaine) has helped! As you can see fro the pics, it's a vast improvement over how I was previously! I'll continue to upload pictures every few weeks with updates.

 

My routine at the moment is:

 

Morning 9am

Exfoliate scalp - I believe this may help let the scalp absorb the Regaine as it certainly feels more sensitive when I'm applying the Regaine. As an exfoliator I use L'Oreal Men Expert Deep Exfoliating Wash.

Wash scalp with Alpecin shampoo.

Dry scalp and apply Regaine.

 

Evening 9pm

Wash scalp with Nizoral shampoo.

Dry scalp thoroughly and apply Regaine.

 

I have just started using Finpecia, so I am hoping that this will enhance the Regaie result even more!

 

Spex: Tubs' result looks excellent! I think 3,500 - 4,000 with the Doc should work well for me

 

aim4hair: Yes, so far I have ONLY been using Regaine, and it seems to be a good result so far. As mentioned previously, I will continue to add pictures to this post as I introduce new products to my routine, so that you can see the results.

 

Cheers,

 

Morgan

[Spanker]

I wish I had a job where I was home at 9 am everyday.

[aim4hair]

I read that applying rogaine only once aday will give the same result, is that true ? Or it has to be applied twice ?

[RodG]

Hi,

 

I would like to comment that even if you cannot obtain really high levels of density from a hair transplant its far better to have a bit of a see thru look than being a Norwood VI. I am a quite a bit older than you but your earlier photos were similar to how I looked prior to having a HT.

 

I had 3743 grafts via strip and whilst I have a see thru look I look so much younger and feel a lot better about myself. Expectations are really import regarding having a HT and some of the posters here want fully density to achieve their aims and wouldn't be satisfied without a result at that standard. You need to understand the limitations of HT and research is very important for you.

 

I think you've shown considerable improvement from the first photos that you showed and I'm sure you've got a bit more regrowth to go before you get your final result and you then have an opportunity to determine your next step.

 

Good luck

 

Cheers Rod

[Brad3451]

Look to have reacted quite well to treatments and most likely will continue. IMO 3k-4k would frame your face quite well. You have done your research and have found a true winner for your HT experience. Thing is Morgan this will be life changing for you and I'm in your corner cheering for you all the way.

[AdamAJ]

i think you should go to Dr Rahal or Hasson and Wong